NEWBURYPORT — Mayor Sean R. Reardon is accepting applications from residents interested in serving on one of Newburyport’s Boards and Commissions.
Interested applicants can send a letter of interest and resume to Christine Jackson, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, by email at cjackson@cityofnewburyport.com or mail at Mayor’s Office, City Hall, 60 Pleasant St., Newburyport, MA 01950. All appointments are voluntary and unpaid positions, and require the appointment of the Mayor and approval of the City Council.
The following Boards and Commissions have openings for those interested in volunteering their time: Board of Water/Sewer Commissioners, Commission on Disability, Council on Aging, Cultural Council, Human Rights Commission, Library Board of Directors, Open Space Committee, Planning Board, and Trust Fund Commission.
- The Board of Water/Sewer Commissioners assists with oversight for water and sewer business operations, budgets, policies and procedures, and customer service. The Commission also assists in setting the water and sewer rates. They generally meet once a month in the late afternoon. The Board consists of five full members and two alternates. Website: https://www.cityofnewburyport.com/water-and-sewer-commission
- The Commission on Disability works to advocate on disability-related issues, make recommendations and provide technical knowledge where needed, to City departments, businesses and organizations throughout the community. The Commission also has oversight over a Revolving Fund that can be used for initiatives that support their mission. Commissioners generally meet the second Thursday of the month in the evening. Website: https://www.cityofnewburyport.com/commission-on-disabilities
- The mission of the Newburyport Council on Aging is to advocate for older adults, to identify their needs, to develop and implement services and programs to meet their health, economic, social and cultural needs, to encourage maximum independence, and to improve their quality of life. Board members assist greatly in this effort. The Board generally meets in the morning on the third Friday of the month. Website: https://www.cityofnewburyport.com/council-on-aging
- The Newburyport Cultural Council promotes the availability of rich cultural experiences for city residents and is dedicated to strengthening the cultural ecosystem in Newburyport across all sectors and neighborhoods. The Council receives annual funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council through its Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program, which it then awards as grants to organizations across the city. Website: https://www.cityofnewburyport.com/cultural-council
- The Human Rights Commission works to promote and support a sense of welcome and inclusion for all residents within greater Newburyport. The Commission collaborates with other groups and organizations to promote and uphold the human rights of all persons in Newburyport and the free exercise and enjoyment of any rights and privileges secured by the Constitutions and laws of the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Commissioners generally meet in the evening the second Thursday of the month. Website: https://www.cityofnewburyport.com/human-rights-commission
- The Newburyport Public Library is governed by a 12-member Library Board of Directors. The Mayor is the Chair ex-officio, and the President of the City Council is an ex-officio member. There are three trustees of the Building Fund who are self-perpetuating members of the Board, seven board members are appointed for seven-year terms, and the Head Librarian is Secretary to the Board. The Board usually meets in the evening on the third Wednesday of the month. Website: https://www.cityofnewburyport.com/library-board-of-directors
- The Open Space Committee was established in April 2001 as an advisory committee to the Mayor pursuant to the Master Plan. The OSC is charged generally with advocating for the protection of open space and specifically to monitor opportunities for open space acquisition. Open space is defined broadly to include natural resources and wildlife habitats, scenic landscapes, agricultural lands and working landscapes, recreation resources, public access water resources, and supplies and buffers to existing protected lands. Tasks involved in carrying out this charge include identifying and evaluating parcels, gaining knowledge about available tools and strategies for open space acquisition and protection, researching funding options, cultivating relationships with landowners, and crafting public education and outreach all in an effort to make timely and informed recommendations to the Mayor and organize campaigns for the protection of open spaces. Website: https://www.cityofnewburyport.com/open-space-committee
- The Newburyport Planning Board is a nine-member board of volunteers appointed for five-year terms by the Mayor. Members must be residents of the City. Membership is based on experience or interest in the field of planning and zoning and whenever possible includes architects or landscape architects, engineers, Realtors or developers, affordable housing specialists, environmentalists, and attorneys. The Planning Board considers land subdivision and zoning proposals, Approval Not Required (ANR) applications, Site Plan Review applications, and proposed changes to elements of the City’s master plan. The Board holds public hearings, as required, on these applications and makes recommendations to the City Council for its consideration and legislative action. The Board has seven members and two alternates. The Board generally meets biweekly on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. Website: https://www.cityofnewburyport.com/planning-board
- The Newburyport Trust Fund Commission was established in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 41, section 45. The Commission is charged with the management of all trust funds given or bequeathed for the benefit of the City. Commissioners generally meet once a quarter. Website: https://www.cityofnewburyport.com/trust-fund-commission
